Education alumna to receive teaching award at White House

More than 200 outstanding science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teachers,
including University of South Carolina alumna Jennifer Wise will be honored at a White
House ceremony next month.

Wise will receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science
Teaching for her work as an algebra and geometry teacher at Hand Middle School in
Columbia. Earlier this year, Wise was named the S.C. Teacher of the Year.

Wise, who earned both her bachelor’s degree in mathematics and master’s in secondary
mathematics from Carolina, is currently working on a doctorate with a specialization
in math education.

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is awarded
to outstanding K-12 teachers across the country. A panel of distinguished scientists,
mathematicians and educators following an initial selection process at the state level
selects the winners. Award recipients will receive $10,000 from the National Science
Foundation to be used at their discretion.

Another award recipient, science teacher Gail Vawter from Springfield Middle School
in Fort Mill, South Carolina, is a past participant in the College of Education’s
Math Science Partnership teacher quality grant program.